diff --git a/src/control/media.c b/src/control/media.c
index 2c92af0a58..9a893b012a 100644
--- a/src/control/media.c
+++ b/src/control/media.c
@@ -413,9 +413,7 @@ void libvlc_media_release( libvlc_media_t *p_md )
  **************************************************************************/
 void libvlc_media_retain( libvlc_media_t *p_md )
 {
-    if (!p_md)
-        return;
-
+    assert (p_md);
     p_md->i_refcount++;
 }